.Canon Digital Cameras. Net

Highly
recommended Canon digital cameras

Canon
EOS-1Ds MARK II SLR 16,7 megapixel professional digital
camera

16.7
MEGAPIXELS OF RIGHTEOUS RESOLUTION: IN THE STUDIO OR ON
THE ROAD CANON'S NEW EOS-1Ds MARK II SLR TAKES PRO DIGITAL
TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF IMAGING EXCELLENCE

With the Highest Resolution, Lowest Noise, Truest Color
And Fastest Burst Rate In Its Class, The EOS-1Ds Mark
II Digital SLR Is The One Pro Digital Even Medium-Format
Film Holdouts Will Love

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Sept. 21, 2004

—
At long last, catalog and commercial photographers, stock
photographers, studio portrait specialists and other professional
photographers of every stripe and specialty can capture
brilliant high impact images and enjoy the speed, economy,
flexibility, increased workflow and productivity that
only digital offers, with Canon's new 16.7 megapixel EOS-1Ds
Mark II SLR.

"The EOS-1Ds Mark II digital SLR camera establishes
a new benchmark of innovation and excellence not only
for Canon but for our industry as a whole and particularly
for the community of professional photographers who are
our most demanding and discerning customers," stated
Yukiaki Hashimoto, senior vice president and general manager
of the consumer imaging group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., a
subsidiary of Canon Inc (NYSE:CAJ). "Up to now, many
professional and commercial photographers have been wedded
to their medium format film cameras in order to ensure
the excellence of their images and the ability to make
dramatic enlargements with virtually no reduction in quality.
With this remarkable new pro digital SLR, we are sending
a message to those medium format fans: your digital dream
has been fulfilled."

For
those wishing to get a first glimpse of that dream, production
models of the new EOS-1Ds Mark II camera will be on display
at the Canon booth at the Photokina trade show in Cologne,
Germany starting on Sept. 28th and at New York City's
Photo Plus show starting on Oct. 21st at the Jacob Javits
Convention Center. The EOS-1Ds Mark II camera body carries
an estimated street price of $7,999 and is scheduled to
begin shipping in November.

The
successor to Canon's 11.1-megapixel EOS-1Ds SLR introduced
in 2002, the new 16.7-megapixel EOS-1Ds Mark II camera
utilizes a full-size 24x36mm CMOS sensor that eliminates
focal length conversion factors, and features dramatically
improved image quality made possible by the combination
of new image sensor technology together with Canon's exclusive
DIGIC II image processor.

The
new CMOS sensor features larger microlenses over each
photosite compared to the EOS-1Ds resulting in an improved
signal-to-noise ratio. On-chip noise reduction has also
been improved to produce a cleaner signal before the image
data is transferred to the DIGIC II image processor. The
DIGIC II processor in turn produces rich, high-chroma
color gradations for more naturally rendered images. Indeed,
it is the combination of Canon's proprietary CMOS sensor
and DIGIC II technology that permits the EOS-1Ds Mark
II camera to provide what was once considered near impossible:
high definition at high resolution with extremely low
levels of false color artifacts. DIGIC II also permits
faster processing of large files and is twice as fast
as the image processor used in the EOS-1Ds.

Color
Space...
The EOS-1Ds Mark II camera provides five preset color
matrix settings plus two custom settings (as compared
with the five presets provided on the original EOS-1Ds
camera). In addition, the support for the Adobe RGB color
space is improved through the use of DCF 2.0 and Exif
2.21 file formats.

Fast,
Fast, Fast
The EOS-1Ds Mark II pro digital SLR is ready for action
just 0.3 seconds after its power switch is clicked on
and fires a fast four frames per second at full resolution
for bursts of up to 32 JPEG or 11 RAW images (compared
with 3 fps for up to 10 frames on the original EOS-1Ds
camera). In a commercial studio environment, the EOS-1Ds
Mark II camera will actually shoot faster than the time
it takes for most studio strobes to recycle. The camera
also offers users ISO options from 100 to 1600 in 1/3-stop
increments with the flexibility to expand the range to
ISO 50 or ISO 3200 by utilizing the camera's custom functions.

While
the new 1Ds Mark II camera occupies the prestigious flagship
position of Canon's professional digital line, it incorporates
or surpasses many of the new technological advances introduced
earlier this year on the 8.2 megapixel EOS-1D Mark II
pro digital SLR, which has become a favorite of photojournalists,
sports shooters and wedding photographers.

Like
its 8.2 megapixel SLR sibling, responsiveness and user-directed
adaptability are again clearly evident in the range of
the EOS-1Ds Mark II camera's shutter speeds — from
1/8000 to 30 seconds and bulb (with user-set adjustments
of 1/3, 1/2 or full stops). The camera's shutter lag time
is just 55ms and focus is achieved in a virtual instant
thanks to a 45-point AF system. Precision also extends
to the EOS IDs Mark II camera's 21-zone metering sensor,
which, as one would expect, works seamlessly with the
E-TTL-II flash metering technology. Adding to the camera's
versatility and ability to reflect the individuality of
the photographer using it, the EOS-1Ds Mark II camera
features 20 built-in Custom Functions with 65 settings
and 27 personal function settings that can be uploaded
to the camera with the use of dedicated software.

Recognizing
that such customization can be time consuming, all of
the camera's settings can now be saved to a memory card
and shared with multiple cameras. Should the camera need
servicing, the settings can be stored and reloaded after
the work is done.

With
16.7 effective megapixels (out of a total of 17.2 megapixels)
packed on to a 36.0 x 24.0 mm CMOS sensor, the EOS-1Ds
Mark II camera offers the world's highest pixel count
in a 35mm, full-size digital AF SLR camera. In the JPEG
Large and RAW modes, the 4992 x 3328 recorded pixels are
easily capable of making 16 x 24 inch enlargements. What's
more, the EOS-1Ds Mark II camera has sufficient resolution
to generate a full double page spread at 300 DPI, considered
the "Holy Grail" of catalog photography.

Unlike
the original 1Ds camera that featured only two image quality
settings, the new EOS-1Ds Mark II model places greater
control and discretion in the photographer's hands and
offers a choice of five image quality settings: RAW (16.6
megapixels); Large JPEG (16.6 megapixels); Medium 1 JPEG
(8.6 megapixels), Medium 2 JPEG (6.3 megapixels), and
Small JPEG (4.2 megapixels). RAW files and JPEGS can be
shot separately or simultaneously, for maximum flexibility
according to the desired workflow.

E-TTL
II Flash Exposure Control
The EOS-1Ds Mark II Pro Digital SLR camera incorporates
the E-TTL II Flash control system first introduced on
the EOS-1D Mark II model earlier this year. Though it
remains compatible with all EX-series Speedlites as well
as the E-TTL wireless autoflash system, the smarter E-
TTL II flashmetering algorithm evaluates the subject as
a "plane" rather than a simply a point and ensures
that images containing various colors and levels of reflection
are captured accurately and optimally. The system compares
the ambient light with pre-flash data reflected off the
subject and recorded by the central 17 metering zones.
It then selects the areas with a small difference to be
weighted for flash exposure calculation. The system eliminates
or under-weights areas with large differences, recognizing
them as an extremely reflective object in the background
or a highly reflective subject, then smartly ensuring
it by considering the distance information data provided
from compatible EF lenses. The system similarly prevents
over-exposure when photographers lock focus and recompose
the shot by considering the flash output level calculated
according to the distance. The camera also allows users
to select an averaged metering pattern by using its custom
function settings.

Pick
A Card...
Like the 8.2 megapixel EOS-1D Mark II digital SLR that
Canon announced in January, this new 16.7 megapixel EOS-1Ds
Mark II model is equipped with two dedicated card slots
for Compact Flash (Type I or II) and SD memory cards and
allows for either simultaneous backup recording for situations
where image capture is critical or individual recording
on separate cards for capture of an enormous number of
images.

The
EOS-1Ds Mark II camera also features a brilliant and easy
to read 230,000 pixel high detail color LCD Monitor (compared
with a 120,000 pixel display on the original EOS-1Ds),
that measures two inches on the diagonal and provides
100% coverage. Image playback can be automatic after an
image has been captured and is also reviewable by simply
pressing the "display" button on the rear of
the body. The monitor is equipped with a magnification
feature that provides a 1.5 X to 10X scrollable zoom in
15 stops, enabling users to check the focus and exposure
of their images with a new level of on-the-spot precision.
The monitor also provides five brightness settings, a
new and bolder typeface to allow for easier reading of
text menus and an auto rotation feature that automatically
rotates a vertically shot image to enable easier viewing
and downloading. Manual clockwise rotation of the image
is also possible by 90, 270 or 0 degrees through the image
rotation menu.

RGB
Histogram
Contributing to the precision and control afforded to
its users, The EOS-1Ds Mark II camera's RGB histogram
display enables separate checking of color and brightness
information for the red, green and blue channels. The
RGB histogram can also be used to check other color information
not available in the brightness display such as white
balance bias, color balance, color saturation and the
compression of color gradations. Available when viewing
any recorded image in the Single (Info.) image playback
mode, the RGB histogram is displayed as an alternate to
the luminance histogram, which draws attention to overexposed
portions of the picture that lack image information.

Improved
Interface
In addition to the professional-standard four pin IEEE1394
(Firewire) port that enables high speed computer interface
at 100 megabits per second, the EOS-1Ds Mark II camera
features a new video output terminal which supports TV
connection, facilitating the viewing of images on a television
screen, as well as a USB port for connection to a computer
or Direct Printing with BJ Direct, Canon's Compact Photo
Printers and PictBridge compatible printers.

Able
to stand up to real world conditions — from environmental
portraiture, nature, travel or "annual report"
type images to high-volume catalog photography, family
portrait studios or event imaging applications —
this fast and fine thoroughbred SLR is also a rugged,
lightweight, weather resistant magnesium alloy workhorse,
with a shutter durability-tested to 200,000 exposures
(50,000 more than on the original 1Ds camera). The camera's
EF lens mount is made of stainless steel and is fully
compatible with all Canon EF lenses (except EF-S lenses),
as well as TS-E and MP-E lenses. Adding to its allure,
the new EOS-1Ds Mark II camera fairly sips power from
its battery, executing approximately 1200 shots per charge,
double that of its original (and recent) EOS-1Ds ancestor.

Bundled
Software
The EOS-1Ds Mark II camera is bundled with two software
CD-ROMs: the EOS Digital Solution Disk (ver. 9.0) which
includes Windows and Macintosh versions of the EOS Viewer
Utility (ver. 1.2) which allows image downloading, RAW
image adjustment and camera setting specifications; EOS
Capture (ver 1.2) and PhotoStitch as well Twain and WIA
Drivers (Windows only). The second disk, Digital Photo
Professional (ver. 1.5) includes a newly updated RAW image
processing application to handle the workflow demands
of professional photographers. It enables high-speed RAW
image processing and preview, support for sRGB, Adobe
RGB and Wide Gamut RGB color spaces and is Color Management
System (CMS) compatible. The EOS Capture software supports
tethered shooting with Digital Photo Professional as well
as EOS Viewer Utility to provide a powerful performance
combination for studio photographers. As with the EOS-1D
Mark II model, no third party image retouching software
is included.

Remotely
Possible
New for the EOS-1Ds Mark II camera is the optional Wireless
File Transmitter (WFT-E1A)**. Given the enormous popularity
of LAN-based image transmission systems and the demands
for higher speed image distribution in the reporting fields,
Canon developed this new accessory that allows photographers
to transmit images from their cameras directly to a computer
over a wired or wireless local area network (LAN). The
WFT-E1 transmitter includes a mini antenna, a long and
short IEE1394 cable, a case and camera mounting screw.
The transmitter will also be compatible with the EOS-1D
Mark II and the EOS 20D digital SLR cameras via a firmware
upgrade. Pricing for the WFT-E1 has not been finalized,
but will be announced prior to initial dealer shipments
in November.

Canon
U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business,
and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed
as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America,
and is ranked #35 on the latest Business Week list of
"Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc.
(NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking
second overall in the U.S. in 2003, with global revenues
of $29.9 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

###

All
referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks
of their respective owners.
* Prices subject to change at any time. Actual prices
are determined by individual dealers and may vary.
** This device has not been authorized as required by
the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This
device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease,
or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.

Links
to Reviews of Canon Digital Cameras

Digital
Photography Review in general
with reviews of Digital cameras from Canon and from other
manufactures, like Nikon, Sony, Sigma, Olympus, Minolta
and Kodak. All with a wealth of digital cameras. Digital
Photography Review offers you the best in-depth reviews
of Canon Digital Cameras and other digital cameras available.

www.CanonDigitalCameras.net/canon-eos-1ds-mark-ii-digital-camera.htmCanon Digital Cameras Net is a facility to help
anybody - professional photographer or amateur picture snappers - to
find the right digital Canon camera for your needs, and to provide some
additional experience from my long life as a stock photographer. I don't
represent Canon but have used Canon equipment for many years, at the
same time or after I used camera equipment from Nikon, Olympus, Sony,
Hasselblad, Mamya, Pentax and Zenza Bronica.
My name is Soren Breiting, and I am living in Hoersholm, north of Copenhagen
in Denmark.
Contact: sb 'AIT' azfotos.com, phone: (+45) 45 76 0 1 2 3. Stock Photos website:
A-Z Fotos